A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ekiti State and former Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Taiwo Olatunbosun, has dumped his former boss, Ayo Fayose and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Olatunbosun, who stood in for the ex-governor as acting governor whenever the latter traveled abroad while in power, said his decision was borne out of the fact that the APC held a bright future for the State.
The former lawmaker further added that his defection from the PDP was to acknowledge the state governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi’s developmental strides in the State.
The new APC convert who also served as Commissioner for Information in ex-Governor Segun Oni-led administration, announced his defection from the PDP during Fayemi’s campaign tour of Igbemo, Are, Iworoko and Afao, Fayose’s country home, last Friday.
He added that he had considered the exodus of well-meaning people across the country from other parties to the APC and decided it was high time he became part of the progressive train.
Olatunbosun disclosed that the mass defection of some of the PDP members in the state was sequel to a decision taken at Ifaki Ekiti, the country home of ex-Governor Oni who is also reportedly making plans to join the APC.
He stressed that Fayose had nothing good to offer the people of the State other than his “political thuggery” noting that the ex-governor who claimed to be a friend of teachers left the State with a debt of over N3 billion emolument owed teachers.
The new APC chieftain urged teachers in the state to review their benefits and compare what they got under Fayose to the many allowances they now get under the Fayemi-led government.
“We have held meetings at Ifaki and decided it is important for me to go where there is light and forsake darkness and the abode of thuggery. We are tired of a violent man. We are tired of a man who does not have respect for the people.”
At Afao, Fayose’s country home, the palace of the Alafao was completely shut and the monarch was unable to attend to Governor Fayemi’s campaign train.
Fayemi, however, held a peaceful campaign in the town and warned politicians against denying people of their right to association.
The governor stated that he didn’t have any enemy in the town, saying that everyone has a right to contest an election but should allow the people make a choice out of their own volition.
He said, “We have done our duty to Afao. Our government does not hate anyone. As long as you are in Ekiti, our party is for you and will do everything to better your lot. We don’t have enemy in this town. Everyone has a right to contest.
Anyone can dream and even see visions but we must always do everything in decency and not hatred and brigandage. We must allow the people vote for the people of their choice,” Fayemi said.
Meanwhile, a statement from the spokesperson of Fayose, Idowu Adelusi, debunked stories making the rounds that the PDP candidate allegedly put pressure on his town’s monarch not to receive Fayemi.
“Ayo Fayose did not have discussion with or send anybody to the Alafao that the monarch should not receive Fayemi. Fayose does not believe any longer in coercing or disrespecting the royal institution because he is a democrat and new Fayose.
“The Alafao is a royal father to all and free to receive all candidates whether from APC, PDP, Labour and Accord unlike Isan Ekiti where Fayemi banned the Onisan from allowing any political party except APC to campaign in Isan.
“Our campaign is issue-based; we are now more mature, responsible and responsive. We will not engage in violent or character assassination,” Adelusi said.
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